Maintaining communication while traveling is key for any tourist visiting a new destination. Having a local SIM card or eSIM is essential for connectivity. However, with the vast options available, selecting the appropriate one can feel overwhelming. CSL is a popular provider from Hong Kong Telecom for tourists seeking SIM cards and eSIMs. This comprehensive guide will provide you with everything you need to know about CSL’s offerings to help you determine which best fits your needs during your trip.
Table of Contents
I. Quick facts about csl
CSL Mobile Limited is Hong Kong’s first mobile operator established in 1983 and is a Hong Kong Telecommunication (HKT) subsidiary.
CSL offers various services and products to its customers, such as 5G, roaming, prepaid, postpaid, data, voice, and broadband. CSL Mobile claims to have the best 5G network coverage in Hong Kong, covering all MTR lines, country parks, hiking trails, camping sites, and significant cycle tracks. CSL Mobile also provides roaming solutions to more than 300 destinations worldwide.
II. csl coverage and speed in Hong Kong
csl is a dependable 5G provider in Hong Kong with great wireless coverage. csl has a lot of 5G spectrum, which means they have coverage for almost everyone both inside and outside Hong Kong. csl provides fast and widespread internet in Hong Kong through 5G infrastructure and WiFi coverage.
According to the May 2023 Opensignal report, csl won two awards in the 5G Experiences category. They achieved an impressive score of 92.5 out of 100 for the 5G Games Experience award, indicating that their customers had a great experience playing real-time multiplayer mobile games while connected to 5G in Hong Kong.
In terms of the 5G Voice App experience, csl has the highest score of 84.3 out of 100 on Opensignal’s scale. This means that csl users have the best experience when using over-the-top voice apps like WhatsApp and Skype.
Many customers praised csl for its fast and reliable 5G network, especially in indoor areas and crowded places. They also appreciated the wide coverage of csl Wi-Fi hotspots and the affordable price plans for 5G services.
Some customers complained about the poor 4G network performance of csl, especially in rural areas and underground stations. They also reported frequent network drops, slow data speeds, and unstable connections.
Overall, it seems that csl has a good reputation for its 5G network, but still needs to work on its 4G network and customer service. Here is the CSL Coverage Map:
III. csl vs. other Hong Kong mobile operators
CSL is one of the four mobile operators in Hong Kong, along with 3, CMHK, and SmarTone. They all offer 5G services and various plans to suit different customer needs. Here are some comparisons between CSL and the other operators based on the latest reports from Opensignal in May 2023:
– Download Speed Experience: CSL has the fastest average download speed among the four operators, with 43.4 Mbps. It also ranked second in 5G Download Speed, with 127.8 Mbps, behind CMHK’s 164.4 Mbps.
– 5G Games Experience: CSL ranked first in 5G Games Experience, with a score of 92.5. CSL users have the best experience for 5G mobile gaming with a score of 92.5 out of 100. All four operators are rated as Excellent (85 or above) for 5G Games Experience.
– Voice App Experience: CSL ranked first in Voice App Experience, with a score of 80.7 on a 100-point scale. It also ranked first in 5G Voice App Experience, with a score of 84.3. CSL users in Hong Kong have the best experience with voice apps and 5G voice apps when using popular communication apps such as WeChat, Whatsapp, iMessage, and similar apps.
In short, CSL network is really quick, and reliable, especially for downloading and uploading stuff and watching videos. They also have the upper hand over other companies when it comes to prices and how happy customers are with their 5G services. Customers seem pretty satisfied with CSL’s speeds and prices for 5G compared to other options.
IV. Best csl offers SIM cards and eSIMs for tourists & costs
CSL offers two types of SIM cards and one type of eSIM for tourists who visit Hong Kong. Here are the best options and costs for each type:
1. csl Hong Kong SIM cards for tourists
csl has both Local Prepaid SIM Cards and special prepaid SIM cards for tourists who want to discover Hong Kong and enjoy local and international calls, mobile data, and Wi-Fi service at a reasonable price.
csl Local Prepaid SIM Card
csl Local Prepaid SIM Card is a prepaid SIM card designed for Hong Kong residents. It offers basic communication services such as local voice and video calls, IDD voice calls, SMS, and mobile data. You can also enjoy csl Wi-Fi, data roaming, and KingKing voice roaming service by subscribing to different data passes.
There are 3 types of csl Local Prepaid SIM cards available, depending on your needs and preferences:
SIM Card | Price | Total data entitlement | Local Minutes | Validity |
Local Prepaid SIM Card | 48 HKD | 6GB | Free of charge | 30 days |
100 HKD | 18GB | Free of charge | 30 days | |
180 HKD | 18GB | Free of charge | 30 days |
Tourists can use csl Local Prepaid SIM Card, but they may not enjoy the same benefits as the csl Discover Hong Kong Tourist Prepaid SIM Card, which provides various types of prepaid card options for visitors.
csl Discover Hong Kong Tourist SIM Card
This is a plug-and-play SIM card that provides local 4G mobile data, unlimited local voice calls, unlimited csl Wi-Fi service, and preferential IDD rates to 35 destinations for 10 days. There are two types of csl Discover Hong Kong Tourist Prepaid SIM cards available:
csl Discover Hong Kong Tourist SIM Card
SIM Card | Price | Local Data | Local Minutes | Validity |
Discover Hong Kong Tourist SIM Card | 88 HKD | 3 GB | Unlimited | 5 days |
118 HKD | 8 GB | Unlimited | 8 days |
If you want to use your SIM card in Mainland China, Macau, or Taiwan, you can subscribe to a roaming data pass for as low as 48 HKD for 500MB for 3 days. You can also make roaming voice calls at a flat rate to Hong Kong or the local destination.
2. csl Hong Kong eSIM plans for tourists
CSL offers various eSIM plans for different needs and budgets, you can check it out here.
You can also buy eSIM using the csl network via Club SIM. Customers can check details and prices here. You can consider the 4.5G No Contract Local Data and Voice Service Package:
Club eSIM
SIM Card | Price | Local Data | Local Minutes | Validity |
Club eSIM | 58 HKD | 20 GB | Free of charge | 30 days |
88 HKD | 40 GB | Free of charge | 30 days | |
128 HKD | 80 GB | Free of charge | 30 days |
Get an eSIM Hong Kong from csl with esimhongkong.net. Order online and activate on compatible devices without a physical store visit or extra fees. Choose from a variety of data packages with validity periods ranging from 5 to 30 days.
V. Where can you buy a csl SIM card and eSIM?
You can purchase a csl SIM card or eSIM from different places depending on the type of card you need. Here are some places for buying csl SIM cards/eSIM:
1. Where to buy a csl SIM card
You can buy this card from convenience stores such as 7-Eleven, Circle K, VanGO, airport counters, or other authorized sales channels, or online.
At Hong Kong International Airport:
You can buy a csl SIM card at the 1010 store at Hong Kong International Airport. The 1010 store is located at Terminal 1, Arrivals Level (L5), near the A13 and A16 counters. The 1010 store sells various csl SIM cards and eSIMs for different needs and budgets, such as the Discover Hong Kong Tourist Prepaid SIM Card or the monthly plans.
2. Where to buy a csl eSIM
You can also purchase a CSL eSIM online through the Club SIM website with free delivery within 5 days.
Many online platforms and websites, such as Airalo, holafly, getnomad, and esimhongkong.net, offer eSIMs that are compatible with the csl network. You have various choices available to cater to your specific requirements.
If you are looking for a reliable and affordable eSIM service for your travels or business trips, CSL Hong Kong eSIM by esimhongkong.net is an excellent choice. You can find more information and order your eSIM [here].
Don’t miss out on the convenience and reliability of a CSL eSIM in Hong Kong. Head over to esimhongkong.net now to purchase yours. With straightforward processes and excellent customer service, you won’t regret choosing esimhongkong.net for all your eSIM needs.
VI. How to use csl Hong Kong SIM Card/eSIM
Follow these simple steps to start enjoying fast and affordable service with CSL, one of the territory’s major carriers.
1. How to use tourist csl Hong Kong SIM Card
To use the tourist csl Hong Kong SIM, simply follow these steps:
Insert the card into your device → Complete Real-name Registration → Auto activates the 5-day / 8-day Pass.
Note: If you’re having trouble accessing the internet on your mobile phone using our network, make sure your Access Point Name (APN) is set to “mobile” and leave the proxy server address and port blank.
2. How to set up and activate csl Hong Kong eSIM
Scan the QR code provided according to the activation procedure of the relevant device. After the SIM activation process is completed, you can enjoy your csl eSIM. Here is the detailed process for Android phones and iPhones:
- On Android phones:
Click Setting → Connect → Sim Card Manager → Join Mobile Plan → Join with QR code/Activation Code → Use the device to scan the QR code → Click Join to add mobile plan → The screen displays Joining the program… → Click OK to activate the plan.
- On iPhone:
Click Setting → Choose Mobile Network → Join Mobile Network Plan → Scan the camera lens to the QR code provided by the network operator → Click Join Mobile Network Plan → Chang the label of major or mobile number (if desired) → Select default phone number → Choose the phone number associated with your Apple ID services → Select the default mobile data number and enable backup (if required) → Your mobile plan is ready to use.
VII. Call & SMS rates of csl in Hong Kong
Call & SMS rates of csl SIM cards vary depending on the type, the destination of the message, and the service plan. The rates usually fall into these categories:
Call | SMS | MMS |
0.1 HKD/min | 0.3 – 1.8 HKD/SMS | 1 – 3 HKD/MMS |
VIII. How to top-up your csl eSIM/SIM card
There are several ways to top-up your csl SIM card, depending on your preference and convenience. Here are some methods to top-up your card:
top-up csl eSIM/SIM card
Method | How to do | Lead Time |
Recharge via csl app | You can use csl app to recharge your prepaid SIM card on your handset via an Internet banking facility. | Instant |
Recharge via csl’s Easy TopUp app | You can use csl’s Easy TopUp app to recharge your prepaid SIM card on your handset via an Internet banking facility for a specific Hong Kong bank account. Currently, the app supports the Internet banking of Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited. | Within 5 mins |
Recharge Voucher | You can purchase a recharge voucher at any csl shop, 24-hour convenience store, or csl authorized dealer. The vouchers are from $50 to $300. Each voucher comes with an instant bonus value that will be credited to your account immediately. Use your mobile to dial ##124*the password on voucher#. | Instant |
Recharge via the website | Go to prepaid.hkcsl.com → Select Top-up Payment Method → Choose between Visa and Master Card/Octopus/Tap & Go App/Payme → Enter your phone number and the top-up amount → Press Confirm → Follow the next instructions. | Within 5 mins |
Via ATM | You can use an ATM terminal from HSBC or Hang Seng Bank to recharge your prepaid SIM card. Select csl Mobile Service and bill type "22" → Enter your mobile phone number as your account number and follow the instructions to finish. | Within 3 working days |
Payment By Phone Service (PPS) | You can use the PPS hotline 18031 or ppshk.com to recharge your prepaid SIM card. Select merchant code "9591", enter your mobile number followed by "#", then follow the rest of the instructions. | Within 3 working days |
Recharge via the Alipay HK app | Open the app → select Bill Payment → select 1010/csl → Choose Prepaid Top-Up → enter your phone number and the top-up amount (between $50 and $300) → press Pay Now. | Within 5 mins |
Recharge via WeChat Pay(Hong Kong wallet) | Open the app → Select Telecom Payment → Select csl → Choose Prepaid Card Top-Up → Enter your phone number and the top-up amount (between $50 and $500) → Press Pay Now. | Within 5 mins |
IX. How to check csl Balance (csl USSD code)
There are different ways to check your csl balance, depending on your SIM card type and service plan. Here are some of the csl USSD Codes you can use:
Service | Quick Access Code |
Main balance checking | *109# |
Subscribed service status checking | *101# |
Roaming Data Usage checking (Overseas) | *101*2# |
Remaining stored value & validity(inquiry in HK and abroad) | *111# |
You can also check your csl balance by logging in to the csl app.
X. FAQs
Who is the owner of CSL Mobile?
Established in 1983 as the first mobile communications operator in Hong Kong, CSL Mobile is a subsidiary of Hong Kong Telecom that provides a range of mobile and telecom services in the city, including tariff plans, handsets, devices, tablets, gadgets, data roaming, mobile internet, and infotainment.
Does Hong Kong Telecom have any other mobile brands?
Hong Kong Telecom has 4 mobile brands: CSL Mobile, Sun Mobile, PCCW Mobile, and Netvigator.
Can I get csl SIM Card at Hong Kong International Airport?
Yes, you can get a csl SIM card at Hong Kong International Airport. There are several shops and counters that sell csl SIM cards, such as 1010, 7-Eleven, and RELAY. You can find them in the arrivals hall of Terminal 1, between the two exits from customs.
Which type of csl SIM card should I choose: the regular one or the tourist one?
There are two types of csl SIM cards that you can buy at the airport: regular and tourist:
Regular SIM cards are cheaper and have more options for top-up and data plans, but they require registration with your passport or ID card.
Tourist SIM cards are more expensive and have limited options for top-up and data plans, but they do not require registration and can be used immediately.
Where can i purchase csl eSIM?
You can check the details on the csl website and visit csl physical shops for application.
X. Final words
CSL is a network provider by Hong Kong Telecom that offers various services in Hong Kong and other regions. It stands out for its fast download speed and video experience, as well as its support for eSIM technology. However, CSL also faces some challenges, such as poor management, voice app quality, and 4G network availability and coverage.
If you looking for a csl eSIM from Hong Kong Telecom, you can find information about it on their website. If you want to buy eSIM using csl or Hong Kong Telecom as the network operator, you can purchase Club eSIM on Club SIM’s website. Of course, other platforms also offer CSL eSIMs, such as esimhongkong.net, Airalo, Holafly, and more. So you have a wide range of choices available to you.